Boozing will be banned in two town centres under a new order to keep trouble off the streets.

The order to create drinking-free zones in Ashington and Bedlington has been made after consultations with people living in the areas involved.

Objectors to the order have until January 17 to voice their views. If the plans are not opposed then the order is expected to be enforced from the spring.

The drinking-free zones will be Ashington and Bedlington town centres as well as Hirst Park in Ashington and minor streets around them.

The decision to introduce the ban was taken by the Wansbeck Crime and Disorder Partnership after complaints about youngsters taking cans and bottles of drink into the park and the town centre's streets.

A Wansbeck Council spokesman said: "There has been growing concern about gangs of young people congregating in some areas and drinking.

"Hirst Park is one of the areas where people have concerns about this problem."

He added: "We consulted people living in the areas and sent out 500 leaflets asking people for their views on taking out this order under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

"The vast majority thought it was a brilliant idea."

Insp Mick Lillico of the South East Northumberland area command said the new order being sought by the partnership is intended to meet growing public concern rather than growing crime figures.

"This is a pre-emptive strike," he said. "There is not an issue of violence here, this is a control measure."

He added: "People have been concerned about litter and broken glass in the streets and we want to deal with the situation before it gets worse.

"What we don't want is to have people walking between pubs carrying bottles or glasses that could be dropped and broken or used as weapons."

The order gives police officers the power to order people found drinking in the designated areas to stop and to take the alcohol from them and dispose of it.